Cairngorms broadband project boost

A community broadband project proposed to improve connectivity for Cairngorms National Park and neighbouring communities has received a boost.

It follows a positive meeting between the steering group and Community Broadband Scotland (CBS).

The steering group, currently known as Cairngorm Community Broadband (CCB), met last Friday at the offices of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) to confirm the next steps of building a community broadband project in the area, which is hoped will connect around 900 premises.

Chaired by the CNPA, the meeting was attended by representatives from across the area. One of the key decisions made by CCB was the type of legal entity that will be formed in order to take the community broadband project forward, a necessary step in order for the group to receive funding from CBS.

A small working group will now go forward and establish the legal entity before a state aid public consultation is issued.

Murray Ferguson, director of planning and rural development for CNPA, said: “This is a really important project for the Cairngorms National Park as it specifically targets those communities and businesses in the areas that are hardest to reach.

“Good broadband connectivity is vitally important if we are to deliver our economic strategy and make the park an even better place to live and work.

“We have a lot of work still to do but Friday’s meeting was a very positive move.”